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13 Jun 2011 17:02

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Politics: A bumpy ride: Romney unveils new attack ad against Obama

  • Bump in the road: Be warned, you’re going to hear those four words a lot in this new ad by the Mitt Romney campaign. The ad has stirred up some discussion, specifically because it’s making such a strident criticism of such an offhanded turn of phrase. Arguments about the content of the ad aside, though, here’s what we’ll say: This is a poorly constructed piece of political handiwork. The reason being, the ad uses the words “bump in the road” so many times that they begin to lose all impact well before the end (in which it dissolves into a full cacophony of “bumps in the road”). It’s really, really trying too hard, which is something we sometimes think about Mitt himself. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

18 May 2011 16:58

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Politics: GOP braces for damage from Gingrich remarks

  • Newt tries to stop the bleeding: There’s a problem that Newt Gingrich created in his criticisms of the Paul Ryan budget that goes very far beyond Newt himself — a rapidly approaching torrent of Democratic ads using his words against any Republican opponent who supported or voted for said budget. This stern denouncement is an attempt to blunt that effect, but will it work? Not on Senator Chuck Schumer, at least: “What Newt seems to realize is that it would be impossible to win the White House if they embrace the Ryan plan. If Republicans make endorsing the Ryan plan the standard in the Republican primary, it will make the nominee unelectable.” source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

22 May 2010 14:20

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Politics: Dale Peterson carries a big gun, says whatever the hell he wants

  • Key quote (as he pulls out a rifle): “We’re Republicans, we should be better than that.” Dale Peterson, who’s running for a fairly random state position in Alabama, has been getting a lot of attention for this this ad, which seems to fit absolutely every cliche of the current GOP. It’s not ironic. Well, at least we don’t think it is. Someone actually made a “Chuck Norris Facts”-style parody site for Peterson, and Peterson linked to it on his campaign site. Nice. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 4 Comments • Permalink

01 Mar 2010 11:27

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Culture: More ads need to be like this Old Spice ad right here

  • It’s clever, it’s funny, it’s absurdist, and it’s a talker. That, to us, is a total winner. “Anything is possible when your man smells like Old Spice and not a lady.” Best. Commercial. Ever. Also worth watching: This related ad.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

22 Feb 2010 10:40

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Culture: “Embrace Life”: Wrap your arms around pretentious seat belt ads

  • This approach to convincing people to wear seat belts is a little art-damaged, but it’s definitely effective. Next time we’re riding in a car, we’re going to get a mom and daughter to wrap their arms around us. Just look at how effective they are in this living room!
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

08 Feb 2010 10:06

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Culture: Audi’s “Green Police”: A great joke people don’t seem to get

  • The second-best ad on last night’s Super Bowl is a huge talker – an Audi ad that takes the idea of political correctness to a stupidly high degree. Problem is, it hits a little too close to the bone for a lot of people. Why? Because it takes political correctness to a level that many people have suspected already existed for years, whether or not the “green police” really existed. Reason Magazine (who you figure would be all over this) nail the comparison: This is Mike Judge‘s vision of the future. Satire at its best makes you feel most uncomfortable. (The use of Cheap Trick in the ad is also pitch-perfect and completely non-controversial.)
Posted by Ernie Smith • 1 Comment • Permalink

07 Feb 2010 21:32

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Culture: Best Super Bowl ad ever: David Letterman, Oprah & Jay Leno reunite

  • It’s official. Nothing can top this Super Bowl classic of an ad. It’s a sequel to the Oprah/Dave ad from a year or two ago, and Leno’s appearance is just the salve needed in a late-night war that had just started to heat up again. We approve. The New York Times has a pretty awesome background on how this happened. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

05 Feb 2010 10:34

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Politics: “Demon Sheep” still a heavy source of debate among wonks

  • It just oozes that special brand of ludicrous hilarity that the Internet loves. The thing’s going viral, but not necessarily in a way that will help Carly Fiorina’s campaign.
  • WeeklyStandard.com conservative commentator Mary Katharine Ham • Regarding Carly Fiorina’s “Demon Sheep” ad, which has continued its viral rush to insane popularity (and many parodies). The clip, built largely from stock photos and spare footage (hence the heavy use of the Ken Burns effect), cost $15,000 to make, which is about $14,500 more than we expected. The Fiorina campaign is very much in the “any publicity is good publicity” mode (as they should), while the target of the ad, State Rep. Tom “Demon Sheep” Campbell, is using it in favor of his political campaign (as he should). If this works, Carly Fiorina is a genius. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Dec 2009 03:45

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Music: REO Speedwagon can’t fight this feeling to be marketed with a game

Heard it from a friend who heard it from a friend who heard it from another that this game really sucks. Sorry, REO. Couldn’t resist the golden opportunity. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

25 Nov 2009 18:25

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Politics: PETA’s latest ploy: An anti-factory-farming Thanksgiving ad

  • If PETA is trying to convince us that we shouldn’t eat turkeys, this video kinda sorta does it. But man, is it ever harsh. NBC said they’d be willing to air the ad in late-night time slots, but PETA wanted it to air during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, where tons of families – clearly, the target audience – could see it. Not so much, guys. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
 
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